IRISH FILM director Martin McDonagh has been honoured by locals in his fathers' native home of Connemara.
Residents in the village of Leitir Mellain on Ireland’s west coast have erected three billboards congratulating McDonagh on the success of his latest film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
The film, which received five BAFTA awards last weekend, is nominated for seven awards at next month’s Academy Awards.
The film is centred around a grieving mother who has grown so disillusioned with the lack of action by local police in her small town in the investigation of her daughter’s rape and murder, that she decides to erect three billboards on the road leading in to the town expressing her frustrations.
The billboards have been placed along the roadside outside the small townland of Leitir Mellain in rural Galway.
They are written in Gaelic and read ‘Realt Mor Hollywood’ (Big Star of Hollywood), ‘Realt More Leitir Meallain’ (Big Star of Leitir Mellain) and ‘Comhghairdeas Martin Mc Donagh’ (Congratulations Martin McDonagh).
A sign of the times as Conamara backs film director Martin McDonagh | https://t.co/v7Zlk3m4Ou pic.twitter.com/ZEPcW2iLwO
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 19, 2018
Martin McDonagh was born to Irish parents but grew up in London. He frequently visits the Connemara area and is well-liked by locals.
A local by the name of John Bhaba Jeaic O’Conghaile told RTE that Mr McDonagh’s parents had told their son about the gesture and that he was delighted with the recognition.
He added that the people of the area were hoping that next time he comes to visit, he’ll have a few Oscars in hand.
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